This is a reminder that the Community Pharmacy Daily Interventions Survey finishes today.
The purpose of this survey is to capture the breadth of non-commissioned activity in community pharmacies, including patient presentations, referrals, advice provided, and phone call consultations. The evidence gathered will demonstrate the vital contribution of community pharmacy teams, highlight unmet needs, and support future funding and service development discussions.
Your participation is essential to ensure this survey reflects the reality of practice and the pressures faced by contractors and their teams. Please ensure that intervention logs are completed daily throughout the survey week and collated into the master form (pdf here or excel here) for submission.
Completed Master Forms should be emailed to info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk, the DEADLINE for submissions is Friday 3rd October 2025. We understand some contractors may not have access to Microsoft Excel therefore if they wish to submit a paper version of the Master Form this should be posted to Community Pharmacy NI, 5 Annadale Avenue, Belfast, BT7 3JH before Friday 3rd October 2025.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to showcasing the value of community pharmacy.
Kind regards,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 26 September 2025 relating to the extension of SSP077 and SSP078 (Cefalexin 125mg/ml and 250mg/ml oral suspensions). The letter advises that both SSPs have been extended to Friday 24 October 2025.
BACKGROUND
SSPs made under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 are an additional tool to manage and mitigate medicines shortages.
SSPs enable community pharmacists to supply specified medicines in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber – saving time for patients, pharmacists and prescribers.
Pharmacists should refer to the latest versions of the existing SSPs which are now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website HERE.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website HERE.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Review the letter here dated 26 September 2025, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of SSP077 and SSP078, and that they are also aware of the specific details relating to these SSPs; and
Note guidance relating to the decision pathways for SSPs; notification of GPs; the need for patient/carer agreement, and action to take when this is not given; professional judgement; and actions regarding unclear quantities.
Contractors are reminded of information issued by BSO ‘Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors’ which can be accessed here.
Contractors should contact their local SPPG office in the first instance should further information be required. CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
The Pharmaceutical Society has published guidance on their website regarding the requirements for pharmacists to report convictions and cautions to the regulator. The notice can be viewed here.
Information Session – 5 Moments for Medication Safety
The Department of Health Transforming Medication Safety Group (TMSNI) will be hosting an online information session at 1pm on Tuesday 4th November 2025. The session will provide health professionals such as community pharmacists with an introduction to the new patient safety engagement tool “5 Moments for Medication Safety”. Registration and further details are included in the flyer.
SPPG have issued a reminder that those pharmacies wishing to participate in the TARGET Antibiotic Checklist Brief Intervention Service must complete and return a contract by Friday 3rd October 2025. Please find a contract offer letter which contains a link to submit an online contract for this service. The contract offer letter has also been uploaded to the BSO website and can be accessed here.
The slides from the TARGET Antibiotic Checklist Brief Intervention Service Checklist 2025 webinar are now available and can be accessed here.
Please Note: SPPG are working with IT colleagues to make the recording of the webinar available to view in the coming days. An email notification will be sent out if they can make this available.
Kind regards,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
WhatsApp Business Terms of Service can be found here and privacy policy hereUCA-NI Privacy Policy We take your privacy seriously and do not share or sell any personal details with third parties for commercial purposes. If you have any questions, please contact the CPNI office. You can withdraw your consent to be contacted at any time by calling 028 9069 0444 or by emailing info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk. CPNI Data Protection Policy and Data Retention policy can be found Click Here
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